Fall Yard Care

We saw many sprinklers in the yards all summer -- thank you for watering and keeping grass green! Now just get your rakes ready for autumn leaves, and spend a weekend tidying up your plants now that the air has cleared.

Yard Maintenance

• Until the wet weather settles in, tend to your grass by continuing to mow while growth is still visible and edge one more time.

• Apply a winterizer fertilizer to help strengthen your grass and choke out those pesky weeds.

• Fall is the best time to prune most trees and shrubs. And if you lost any plants to the heat, remove them.

Side Yards

• Homeowners are responsible for keeping side yards clean and tidy. Don’t use them for storage, and be sure to weed them occasionally.

Street Trees

• If trees get too tall or wide, it’s the responsibility of the homeowner to prune.

• If you notice “sprouts” growing at the bottom or out of the tree, they need to be cut.

Preparing for Snow

• Purchase a snow shovel and deicer now before everyone rushes to the store.

• If it snows, it is YOUR responsibility to keep your driveway and sidewalks clear. The HOA does NOT plow streets, that is the responsibility of the city.

Tips for Keeping Your Flower Beds Weed Free

For many homeowners, weeding feels like an overwhelming chore. It can be hard to tell the difference between a weed and a plant, and it seems that the weeds you pull grow back the very next week. Here is a helpful list of some of the most common weed culprits (complete with photos) so you don’t have to procrastinate tiding up your flower beds. We’ve also provided some things you can do to help keep the weeds at bay, while simultaneously keeping in moisture:

1. Fill your beds with perennials, annuals, and shrubs to have fewer places for weed seeds to take root. Adding perennials with thick foliage mean less watering you’ll have to do.

2. After weeding, add a THICK layer (2-3 inches) of fertile mulch to help suppress new growth and hold the moisture in.

3. Don’t stir/rake up your mulch once you lay it. Just pluck out any weeds that may grow through and keep any top layer weed seeds from taking root in the soil.

Lawn Watering Schedule

Don’t you love how green everyone’s yards are this time of year? But all too often we get “summer busy,” neglect watering them, and end up with more brown than we’d like. Let’s get ahead of the game. Now is a great time to create a watering schedule. This will help keep grass healthy in the coming dry months, conserve water, and prevent overwatering that leads to disease. Here are some quick tips for sprinkler use:

1. Water every 2-3 days for at least 15 minutes.

2. The best time to water is before 10 a.m.

3. Consider buying an automatic sprinkler timer for your spigot.

Thanks for making our neighborhood beautiful!

Commonly Asked Questions at The Meadows

Whether you’ve recently moved to the neighborhood or been here a while, we hope you’ll find this compilation of commonly asked questions and reminders helpful.

Key Information

• HOA Dues: Quarterly (Jan./April/July/Oct.) — dues are late and subject to a fine after 30 days. Dues coupon sent in December with annual meeting notice.

• Annual HOA Meeting: Jan. — we’ll mail an information packet prior to the date

• Board Meetings: Quarterly — all meetings are open to the public, email us for dates and locations.

• Trash pick-up: Monday — place cans out the night prior and put away immediately. Must be stored completely out of sight.

FAQs

How do I access the HOA portal?
Send an email to support@mclarinmgmt.com and we’ll send you an invitation. After that, you can go to https://themeadowsatmillcreek.com/ to log in. You’ll have access to online payments, community documents, and more.

How can I pay my dues?
We recommend setting up a recurring autopayment on the HOA portal to save time and avoid possible late fees. Alternately, you may mail in your quarterly checks or set up online bill pay through your bank. Have checks made out to Meadows HOA and mail to P.O Box 13373, Mill Creek, WA 98082.

Can I make changes to the exterior of my home?
Any modification that impacts the exterior, including paint and accessory structures, generally requires approval by the HOA board. You will need to submit an Architectural Review through the portal under Compliance and include any images and/or specifications that will help the board make a decision about your project.

When do walk-throughs take place?
At random. Courtesy notices are often given before assessing fines. Please familiarize yourself with CCRs, which are available on the HOA portal under Shared Documents.

Who should I talk to when I have a problem?
Our board attempts to rely on each homeowner to monitor the compliance of rules and only steps in when there is an issue. As the property managers, we mostly focus on the maintenance of lots and yards to continue to maintain home quality and value. Please reach out to us at support@mclarinmgmt.com or (425) 249-0548 you have a concern about the appearance of the neighborhood. However, if you have an issue with a neighbor, please attempt to resolve it on your own. The board and property manager do not have authority in any matter not specified in the rules but are able to often direct you to help resolve issues.

Do you know of any recommended vendors to help with my project?
We have a list of neighbor-recommended providers for landscaping, painting, general handiwork, and more. Log in to the portal and click on Shared Documents to access the current Service Provider List. 

Anything else you need to know?
Email us at support@mclarinmgmt.com — we’re here to help!

New Play Structures Installed!

The new play structures have been installed and are ready to be played on!